Qatar Airways ranks among the world's leading airlines. As a member of the oneworld Alliance, it has a frequent flyer programme called the Qatar Airways Privilege Club, which uses Avios as its currency, the same as British Airways. Through this programme, you can collect and spend Avios on flights with Qatar Airways and its oneworld partners, such as Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines.
While Qatar Airways has always been known for its high standards, its loyalty programme did not really catch on with travellers until recently. Much of this was due to the pricing, which wasn’t very competitive, and its complicated booking processes. However, things improved when it adopted Avios as its currency in 2022. Since then, its famous Business Class Qsuite and the quick process for transferring Avios among the five airline loyalty programmes have helped make the airline a top choice among travellers.
If you're new to the airline, this guide covers everything you need to know to join the Privilege Club and earn benefits with its tier statuses.
How Do I join the Qatar Airways Privilege Club?
Joining Qatar Airways Privilege Club is free. All you have to do is sign up on the Qatar Airways website. Don't forget to add your frequent flyer number to your booking the next time you fly with Qatar or its partner airlines.
What are Qpoints?
Members accumulate Qpoints when they fly with Qatar Airways or its oneworld alliance partners. These Qpoints differ from Qatar Airways Avios, as they only contribute to your tier status. As you collect more Qpoints, you can ascend to higher membership levels. To find out how many Qpoints you earn for each flight, you can use the "My Calculator" tool on the Qatar Airways website.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Status Tiers
Qatar Airways features four status tiers: Burgundy, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. To move up to these tiers, you must collect a specific number of Qpoints, which you can earn by flying with Qatar Airways and its partner airlines.
Burgundy
- Burgundy is the entry point in the Privilege Club. As a Burgundy member, you receive priority on airport standby lists and a 10% discount when selecting seats.
- You can collect 100% of the Avios from family members' eligible flights or when they spend with non-air partners.
Silver: Equal to Oneworld Ruby Status
- If you can collect 150 Qpoints within any 12-month period, you'll move from Burgundy to the Silver tier.
- Silver status offers a 25% Avios bonus on flights operated and marketed by Qatar Airways (those with a QR flight number).
- You can use the priority check-in counters at Doha and access Qatar Airways Business Class check-in desks at other airports, regardless of your travel class.
- Silver status provides access to Qatar Airways Business Class lounges at most airports when flying on Qatar Airways, along with two yearly guest passes for the Doha Hamad International Airport lounge.
- Other perks include priority boarding, an extra 15kg of baggage allowance or one additional piece of luggage on Qatar flights, and priority handling over Burgundy members and non-members for standby or waitlisting situations.
- Collect 100% of the Avios pooled from family members' accounts.
- As part of the oneworld Alliance, Silver members receive oneworld Ruby status, which includes alliance-wide priority check-in and access to preferred or pre-reserved seating closer to the front of the aircraft.
Gold: Equal to Oneworld Sapphire Status
- Accumulating 300 Qpoints within 12 months moves you to Privilege Club Gold, equivalent to Oneworld Sapphire status.
- This gets you priority boarding, baggage handling, and access to the Business Class lounges of airlines like Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and American Airlines Admirals Clubs when flying on any oneworld carrier.
- Gold status allows you to bring a guest into these lounges without requiring guest passes at the Silver level, though you still receive four passes annually for additional guests.
- Gold members enjoy a 75% bonus on Avios earned on Qatar Airways flights, and they can check an additional 20kg of luggage or one extra suitcase. They also benefit from a complimentary 'meet and greet' service at Hamad International Airport, provided it's requested 24 hours in advance.
- Gold members are awarded 40 'Qcredits' each year, which can be used for upgrades from certain Economy fares to Business Class, to cover booking changes, or even for a guest lounge pass.
- Gold members can also secure a confirmed Economy seat on a full Qatar Airways flight if the booking is made within 48 hours of departure.
Platinum: Equal to Oneworld Emerald Status
- Collect 600 Qpoints within a year, and you'll move to Privilege Club Platinum, along with Oneworld Emerald status. This tier includes 60 Qcredits each year and a 100% Avios bonus on flights with Qatar Airways.
- Platinum members have access to Oneworld's First Class check-in counters globally, except in Doha, where you'll use the same counter as Silver and Gold members. You'll also enjoy access to First and Business Class lounges across the oneworld network.
- In Doha, a specific Platinum Frequent Flyer lounge is available to Platinum members flying Economy. You can enter the luxurious Al Safwa First Lounge if you fly Business Class.
- Platinum status allows you to bring two guests for free on Qatar flights or one guest on other Oneworld airlines. You also receive five single-use guest passes for use in Doha.
- You can check an extra 25kg of baggage or one additional suitcase on most Oneworld flights, except for British Airways' 'hand baggage only' fares.
To maintain your Privilege Club status, here are the requirements:
- Silver status must gather either 135 Qpoints within the last 12 months or 270 Qpoints over the last 24 months.
- Gold requires 270 Qpoints within the last 12 months or 540 over the last 24 months.
- Platinum needs 540 Qpoints within 12 months or 1,080 over the last 24 months.
How To Earn Qpoints with Qatar Airways
As a Privilege Club member, you can collect Qpoints by flying with Qatar Airways and the airlines mentioned above. However, bear in mind that the rates are generally more favourable when flying with Qatar Airways.
The number of Qpoints you collect depends on your ticket class, flight distance, and membership level. Generally, the higher the fare, the more Avios and Qpoints you accumulate. For example, on flights from Doha to London, the lowest Business Class fare yields 4,866 Avios and 40 Qpoints, while Business Class Elite tickets earn 12,976 Avios and 80 Qpoints.
Can I Buy Qpoints to Retain or Upgrade My Status Tier?
Absolutely. Privilege Club differs from other frequent flyer programmes by allowing members to buy Qpoints if they're short of the necessary amount for a status upgrade or renewal. Each Qpoint costs USD 25. Keep in mind, though, that there are some restrictions.
For one thing, the number of Qpoints you can buy is limited and depends on your current membership level and your goal. If you're aiming to maintain your current status, the number of Qpoints you’re allowed to buy are as follows:
- Silver members can buy up to 75 Qpoints.
- Gold members can buy up to 150 Qpoints.
- Platinum members can buy up to 300 Qpoints.
If you're looking to move up to a higher tier, the limits are:
- Burgundy members can buy 75 Qpoints with no minimum balance needed.
- Silver members can buy 150 Qpoints, provided they already have at least 100 Qpoints.
- Gold members can buy 300 Qpoints, provided they already have a minimum of 200 Qpoints.
How do I spend and redeem Qatar Airways Avios?
It’s always a good idea to upgrade Qatar Airways with Avios by moving up to Business Class or First Class or with its extensive network of partners, including Qantas and Cathay Pacific. This is where they’re the most valuable compared to on-ground activities.
Since British Airways and Iberia also use Avios, merging Avios collected from different airline programmes into one substantial account also makes sense. This way, you'll have enough Avios saved up to book rewards flights or upgrades with Qatar Airways and other associated Oneworld airlines.
While it's possible to spend your Qatar Avios on merchandise, duty-free shopping, hotel accommodations, and other options, these redemption forms generally yield a lower value. Using your Avios on the ground often reduces their worth to less than half a pence. The best value for your Avios remains using them for flights.
Can I Earn Avios Without Flying?
Yes, as a Privilege Club member, you can collect Avios not just in the air but also on the ground. You can do this by booking hotels or transferring points from hotel loyalty programmes such as Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Accor Live Limitless, Shangri-La Circle, and World of Hyatt.
You can also earn points by renting a car through partnerships with various rental companies, including Europcar, Hertz, Avis, and Budget.
Do Qatar Airways Avios expire?
Your Avios will remain active as long as you collect, spend, buy, or gift at least one Avios every 36 months.
